" I have explained. as well as I have been able, the dis tribution of our buildings, that they may not be unknown to those who build : I shall now also briefly explain the dis c tribution of houses, according to the custom of the Greeks, that they also may not he unknown.
" Of the Disposition of the Houses of the Greeks.
" The Greeks use no atrium, nor do they build in our manner ; but from the gate of entrance they make a passage of no great breadth ; on one side of which is the stable, on the other, the porters' rooms, and these are directly termi nated by the inner gates. This place between the two gates is called by the Greeks thyroreion. After that, in entering, is the peristylium, which peristylium has porticos on three sides. On that side which looks to the south, are two mitre, at an ample distance from each other, supporting beams, and so much as is equal to the distance between the ante, want ing a third part, is given to the space inwardly ; this place is called by some prostas, by others parastas. From this place, more inwardly, the great mei are situated, in which the mis tress of the tinnily, with the workwomen, resides. On the right and left of the p•ostas, are cubiculte, of which one is called thalamas, and the other amphithalamas ; and in the surrounding porticos, the common trienniums, cubiculums, and family rooms are erected. This part of the edifice is called yyn«vonicis.
"Adjoining to this is a larger house, having a more ample peristylium, in which are four porticos of equal height, or sometimes the one which looks towards the south has higher columns ; and this peristylium, which has one portico higher than the rest, is termed rhodhot. In these houses they have elegant vestibulums, magnificent gates, and the porticos of the peristyliums are ornamented with stucco, plaster, and lueunarite, of inside work (wood.) In the porticos which look to the north, are the Cyzicene triclinium, and pinaeotheem : to the east are the libraries, to the west the exedras, and in those looking to the south are the square ceci, so large that they may easily contain four sets of dining couches, with the attendants, and a spacious place for the use of the games. In these ceei are made the men's dining couches, for it is not their custom for the mothers of families to lie down to dine. This peristylium and part of the house is called andronitides, because here the men only are invited without being accom panied by the women.
" On the right and left also, small houses are erected, having proper gates, trielinw, and convenient on biculte, that when strangers arrive, they may not enter the peristylium, but lie received in this hospitalium ; for when the Greeks were more refined and opulent, they prepared trieliniw, eubieulte, and provisions, for strangers ; the first day inviting them to dinner, afterwards sending them poultry, eggs, herbs, fruits, and other productions of the country. I lence the pictures representing the sending of gifts to strangers, are by the painters called zenia. Masters of finnilies, therefore, while they abode in the hospitium, seemed not to be from home, having the full retirement in these hospitaliums. Between the peristylium and hospitalium are passages, which are called mesarthe ; because they are situated between two aulce ; these are by us called andronas; but it is remarkable that the Greeks and Latins do not in this agree; for the Greeks give the name of andronas to the cecus where the men usually dine, and which the women do not enter.
" It is the same also with some other words, as xystos, prochyrum, telamones, and others; for xystos is the Greek appellation of those broad porticos, in which the athlete exercise in winter time; whereas, we call the uncovered ambnlatories xystos ; and which the Greeks call peridromidas. The vestibula, which are before the gates, arc by the Greeks called prothyra ; whereas, we call prothyra that which the Greeks call diathyra. The statues of men bearing niutules or cornices we call telamones, for what reason is not to be found in history ; but the Greeks call them atlanles ; Atlas being in history represented as supporting the world ; for he was the first who, by his ingenuity and diligence, discovered and taught Hi:unkind the course of the sun and moon, the rising and setting of all the planets, and the revollitions of the heavens; for m hich benefit the painters and statue ries represented him bearing the whole earth; and the Atlantides, his children, which we call reryitius, and the Greeks Plietacles, are placed among the stars in the heavens. I have not, however, mentioned this in order to change the customary names or manner of discoursing. but only to explain them, that these things might not be unknown to the lovers of knowledge." Extracts from Pliay's Letters. Description of the villa at Laurentinum.